Casa Ankosé

A retired Canadian couple, an art historian and economist, have built a house on a hill with the help of a local construction company JES/AMJAE on the outskirts of Oaxaca City, on steep terrain, to make the best of incredible views of the surrounding valley and mountains, and to enjoy the peace and fresh air offered by the location of their custom built home, Casa Ankosé.
Indigenous cultures.

It took 2 years of a rather bumpy road to build a house in Mexico, but the result made the process worthwhile!

The client had a preference for living quarters on one level for themselves, entering the house from the road, past an inner area for a car and laundry room, and on to a large terraza housing a swimming pool, a glassed-in studio, living room, and living quarters, all overlooking the very special UNESCO cultural heritage city of Oaxaca de Juárez.

Locally-sourced materials and compatible neutral colors were important, and ironwork of traditional Mexican fretwork - triangular grids - was incorporated to reflect the historical designs of nearby ancient archeological sites such as Mitla and Atzompa, as well as the design of the local Textile Museum building.

Guest quarters are suspended on a lower level of the house, with 2 bedrooms, a full bathroom, living room, small kitchen and an additional large terrace with equally captivating views, offering guests, or caretakers, complete independence.